If I could wish you out of Heaven...

If I could wish you out of Heaven, just for one hour...

My Mother-in-Law Betty - I would wish you out of Heaven and into my backyard for a cook-out with the Other F-Family. I would love to see your two boys introduce all your grandchildren and watch you play with them in the backyard you played in as a child. You are the first person I have ever loved and felt connected to that I have never met. Thanks for raising such great boys - they are both fine husbands and wonderful fathers.

My Gram, Papa Jack, and Gene - I would wish you out of Heaven and to Sibley Lake in the Big Horn Mountains where we would all fish for trout together again. Either that, or hamburgers & beer at the bar in the Sheridan Elks Lodge. Gene, you pick which one - but the beers are on you!

My Aunt Jackie - I would wish you out of Heaven and we could be anywhere. I would just like to visit with you, write down as many notes about our family history as possible (you knew it all), and tell you goodbye properly.

My Great Aunt Mary and Uncle Ray - I'm unsure if I would wish you out of Heaven separately or together. If it would be together, it would be to that dumpy little diner with the awesome pork tenderloins you both loved so well. I loved hearing you talk, how you said things, I miss your voices and your stories. I would love to see all your "country friends" hug and kiss you too. Everyone knew you!

If it were separately, Uncle Ray I would want one more long tractor ride around the farm with you. I would want to tell you that our final goodbye at the end is one of the sweetest memories of my life to date, and to Thank You for making it perfect.

And Aunt Mary, if it were separately, I would wish you back to the hospital where you passed, to the last hour of your life, so that I could hold your hand and comfort you as you passed from here to Heaven. One of the biggest regrets of my life is that this is not how it happened - even though neither of us had control of the situation.

My 7th & 8th Grade Friend Bobby Brock - I would wish you out of Heaven and back to that spot behind Burney where we spent that silly awkward moment in the 8th Grade. I would tell you that my "closely guarded secret recipe" to those chocolate chip cookies I brought to you in the hospital is on the back of the Nestle Chips bag. I would share with you that your best friend, Phil, was the first person I ever recognized as truly a "great friend" and he is the one who set-my-bar on how to be a good friend. I would also tell you how I wished you had been my first kiss.

My Best Friend Carla - I would wish you out of Heaven and into your daughter's living room to play with your first granddaughter. I would like to be there to see that, and often have dreams of this scene. I would not need to visit with you either, because so often I visit with you in spirit still. I would tell you "sorry" that I am still - all these years later - working on that last promise I made to you. You always expected a lot, I will get there, you will be proud. You are one of my Best Friends - always.

Today I hope you think of someone who is gone, and come up with a happy memory of what you would do if you could have them back for one hour. Things in our hearts are real. I believe the love we have for family and friends does not deminish with their physical absence AND that you can love someone you have never met.